Identifying unmanned aerial vehicles for mission performance

ABSTRACT

A device receives a request for a mission that includes traversal of a flight path from a first location to a second location and performance of mission operations, and calculates the flight path from the first location to the second location based on the request. The device determines required capabilities for the mission based on the request, and identifies UAVs based on the required capabilities for the mission. The device generates flight path instructions for the flight path and mission instructions for the mission operations, and provides the flight path/mission instructions to the identified UAVs to permit the identified UAVs to travel from the first location to the second location, via the flight path, and to perform the mission operations at the second location.

BACKGROUND

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft without a human pilotaboard. A UAV's flight may be controlled either autonomously by onboardcomputers or by remote control of a pilot on the ground or in anothervehicle. A UAV is typically launched and recovered via an automaticsystem or an external operator on the ground. There are a wide varietyof UAV shapes, sizes, configurations, characteristics, etc. UAVs may beused for a growing number of civilian applications, such as policesurveillance, firefighting, security work (e.g., surveillance ofpipelines), surveillance of farms, commercial purposes, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams of an overview of an example implementationdescribed herein;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example environment in which systems and/ormethods described herein may be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of example components of one or more devices of FIG.2;

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a flow chart of an example process foridentifying and instructing UAVs to perform a mission via a flight path;and

FIGS. 5A-5E are diagrams of an example relating to the example processshown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the sameor similar elements.

Some private companies propose using UAVs for rapid delivery oflightweight commercial products (e.g., packages), food, medicine, etc.Such proposals for UAVs may need to meet various requirements, such asfederal and state regulatory approval, public safety, reliability,individual privacy, operator training and certification, security (e.g.,hacking), payload thievery, logistical challenges, etc.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams of an overview of an example implementation100 described herein. In example implementation 100, assume that a userdevice (e.g., user device A) is associated with a user (e.g., user A)that is located at an origination location (e.g., location A), as shownin FIG. 1A. Further, assume that user A wants to fly multiple UAVs,selected from a pool or group of UAVs, from location A to a destinationlocation (e.g., location B) in order to perform a mission at location B.For example, user A may want the multiple UAVs to perform surveillanceand take measurements of a nuclear reactor (e.g., at location B) that isemitting dangerous levels of radiation. As further shown in FIG. 1A, aUAV platform or system may be associated with data storage, and the UAVplatform and the data storage may communicate with networks, such as awireless network, a satellite network, and/or other networks. Thenetworks may provide information to the data storage, such as capabilityinformation associated with the UAVs (e.g., thrusts, battery life, etc.associated with the UAVs); weather information associated with ageographical region that includes geographical locations of location A,location B, and locations between location A and location B; air trafficinformation associated with the geographical region; obstacleinformation (e.g., buildings, mountains, etc.) associated with thegeographical region; regulatory information (e.g., no-fly zones,government buildings, etc.) associated with the geographical region;historical information (e.g., former flight paths, former weather, etc.)associated with the geographical region; etc.

As further shown in FIG. 1A, user A may instruct user device A togenerate a request for a mission for multiple UAVs in the pool of UAVs,and to provide the request to the UAV platform. The request may includecredentials (e.g., serial numbers, identifiers of universal integratedcircuit cards (UICCs), etc.) associated with the UAVs in the pool. TheUAV platform may utilize the UAV credentials to determine whether theUAVs in the pool are authenticated for utilizing the UAV platform and/orone or more of the networks, and are registered with an appropriateauthority (e.g., a government agency) for use. For example, the UAVplatform may compare the UAV credentials with UAV account information(e.g., information associated with authenticated and registered UAVs)provided in the data storage to determine whether the UAVs in the poolare authenticated. In example implementation 100, assume that the UAVsin the pool are authenticated by the UAV platform. The request may alsoinclude mission information for the multiple UAVs, such as capturingvideo and/or images of the nuclear reactor, measuring radiation levelsat different locations near the nuclear reactor, measuring temperaturelevels at the different locations, etc.

The UAV platform may calculate a flight path from location A to locationB based on aviation information (e.g., the weather information, the airtraffic information, etc. of the geographical region). As further shownin FIG. 1A, the UAV platform may determine required UAV capabilities forthe mission based on the request for the mission, and may store therequired UAV capabilities in the data storage. For example, the UAVplatform may determine that the mission requires a first UAV to capturevideo of the nuclear reactor, a second UAV to capture images of thenuclear reactor, a third UAV to detect temperature levels around thenuclear reactor, and a fourth UAV to detect radiation levels around thenuclear reactor. Prior to receiving the request for the mission, the UAVplatform may determine different capability information associated witheach UAV in the pool of UAVs, such as, for example, components availableto each UAV (e.g., a video camera, a temperature sensor, a radiationsensor, etc.); component information of each UAV (e.g., identifiers(e.g., serial numbers, model numbers, etc.) of the components,information identifying a particular type of battery, engine, rotors,etc. of each UAV, etc.); a current state of each UAV (e.g., available,fully charged, unavailable, charging battery, etc.); etc.

As further shown in FIG. 1A, the UAV platform may identify multipleUAVs, from the UAVs in the pool, based on the required UAV capabilitiesfor the mission. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the UAV platform mayidentify four UAVs from the pool of UAVs based on the required UAVcapabilities for the mission. A first UAV of the identified UAVs may becapable of capturing video of the nuclear reactor, a second UAV of theidentified UAVs may be capable of capturing images of the nuclearreactor, a third UAV of the identified UAVs may be capable of detectingtemperature levels around the nuclear reactor, and a fourth UAV of theidentified UAVs may be capable of detecting radiation levels around thenuclear reactor.

After identifying the UAVs in the pool of UAVs, the UAV platform maygenerate flight path instructions and/or mission instructions for themission, as shown in FIG. 1B. For example, the flight path instructionsmay indicate that the identified UAVs are to fly at an altitude oftwo-thousand (2,000) meters, for fifty (50) kilometers and fifty-five(55) minutes, in order to arrive at location B. The mission instructionsmay indicate, for example, that the first UAV of the identified UAVs isto capture video of the nuclear reactor, the second UAV of theidentified UAVs is to capture images of the nuclear reactor, the thirdUAV of the identified UAVs is to detect temperature levels around thenuclear reactor, and the fourth UAV of the identified UAVs is to detectradiation levels around the nuclear reactor. The UAV platform mayprovide the flight path instructions and the mission instructions to theidentified UAVs (e.g., via one or more of the networks), as furthershown in FIG. 1B.

The identified UAVs may take off from location A, and may travel theflight path, based on the flight path instructions, until the identifiedUAVs arrive at location B. When the identified UAVs arrive at locationB, the identified UAVs may perform the mission operations based on themission instructions. For example, the first UAV of the identified UAVsmay capture video of the nuclear reactor, the second UAV of theidentified UAVs may capture images of the nuclear reactor, the third UAVof the identified UAVs may detect temperature levels around the nuclearreactor, and the fourth UAV of the identified UAVs may detect radiationlevels around the nuclear reactor. The video, the images, thetemperature levels, and the radiation levels of the nuclear reactor maybe provided by the identified UAVs to the UAV platform (e.g., as missioninformation). As further shown in FIG. 1B, the UAV platform may providethe mission information to user device A (e.g., for display to user A).Once the identified UAVs complete the mission, the identified UAVs mayreturn to location A or to another location (e.g., for decontaminationfrom the radiation).

Systems and/or methods described herein may provide a platform thatenables UAVs to safely traverse flight paths from origination locationsto destination locations. The systems and/or methods may enable UAVs toperform missions that may be too dangerous for humans to perform. Thesystems and/or methods may enable selection of UAVs most capable ofcollecting different types of information for a mission, which mayincrease efficiencies of the UAVs and reduce costs associated withutilizing the UAVs.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example environment 200 in which systemsand/or methods described herein may be implemented. As illustrated,environment 200 may include user devices 210, UAVs 220, a UAV platform230, data storage 235, a wireless network 240, a satellite network 250,and other networks 260. Devices/networks of environment 200 mayinterconnect via wired connections, wireless connections, or acombination of wired and wireless connections.

User device 210 may include a device that is capable of communicatingover wireless network 240 with UAV 220, UAV platform 230, and/or datastorage 235. In some implementations, user device 210 may include aradiotelephone; a personal communications services (PCS) terminal thatmay combine, for example, a cellular radiotelephone with data processingand data communications capabilities; a smart phone; a personal digitalassistant (PDA) that can include a radiotelephone, a pager,Internet/intranet access, etc.; a laptop computer; a tablet computer; aglobal positioning system (GPS) device; a gaming device; or another typeof computation and communication device.

UAV 220 may include an aircraft without a human pilot aboard, and mayalso be referred to as an unmanned aircraft (UA), a drone, a remotelypiloted vehicle (RPV), a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), or a remotelyoperated aircraft (ROA). In some implementations, UAV 220 may include avariety of shapes, sizes, configurations, characteristics, etc. for avariety of purposes and applications. In some implementations, UAV 220may include one or more sensors, such as electromagnetic spectrumsensors (e.g., visual spectrum, infrared, or near infrared cameras,radar systems, etc.); biological sensors; chemical sensors; etc. In someimplementations, UAV 220 may utilize one or more of the aforementionedsensors to sense (or detect) and avoid an obstacle in or near a flightpath of UAV 220.

In some implementations, UAV 220 may include a particular degree ofautonomy based on computational resources provided in UAV 220. Forexample, UAV 220 may include a low degree of autonomy when UAV 220 hasfew computational resources. In another example, UAV 220 may include ahigh degree of autonomy when UAV 220 has more computational resources(e.g., built-in control and/or guidance systems to perform low-levelhuman pilot duties, such as speed and flight-path stabilization,scripted navigation functions, waypoint following, etc.). Thecomputational resources of UAV 220 may combine information fromdifferent sensors to detect obstacles on the ground or in the air;communicate with one or more of networks 240-260 and/or other UAVs 220;determine an optimal flight path for UAV 220 based on constraints, suchas obstacles or fuel requirements; determine an optimal control maneuverin order to follow a given path or go from one location to anotherlocation; regulate a trajectory of UAV 220; etc. In someimplementations, UAV 220 may include a variety of components, such as apower source (e.g., an internal combustion engine, an electric battery,a solar-powered battery, etc.); a component that generates aerodynamiclift force (e.g., a rotor, a propeller, a rocket engine, a jet engine,etc.); computational resources; sensors; etc.

UAV platform 230 may include one or more personal computers, one or moreworkstation computers, one or more server devices, one or more virtualmachines (VMs) provided in a cloud computing network, or one or moreother types of computation and communication devices. In someimplementations, UAV platform 230 may be associated with a serviceprovider that manages and/or operates wireless network 240, satellitenetwork 250, and/or other networks 260, such as, for example, atelecommunication service provider, a television service provider, anInternet service provider, etc.

In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may receive, from user device210, a request for a mission that includes travelling along a flightpath from an origination location to a destination location andperforming one or more mission operations at the destination location.UAV platform 230 may calculate the flight path from the originationlocation to the destination location based on aviation information(e.g., weather information, air traffic information, etc.), and maydetermine required UAV capabilities for the mission based on the requestfor the mission. UAV platform 230 may identify UAVs 220, from a pool ofUAVs 220, based on the required UAV capabilities for the mission. Afteridentifying the identified UAVs 220, UAV platform 230 may generateflight path instructions and mission instructions, and may provide theflight path instructions and the mission instructions to the identifiedUAVs 220. UAV platform 230 may receive mission information from theidentified UAVs 220, when the identified UAVs 220 are performing themission operations at the destination location. UAV platform 230 maydetermine whether any problems are occurring with the mission based onthe mission information, and may identify a problem with a particularUAV 220 of the identified UAVs 220. UAV platform 230 may instruct one ofthe other identified UAVs 220 to perform operation(s) associated withthe particular UAV 220 in order to address the problem with theparticular UAV 220. UAV platform 230 may receive, from the identifiedUAVs 220, a notification indicating that the mission has been completedby the identified UAVs 220.

In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may authenticate one or moreusers, associated with user device 210 and/or UAV 220, for utilizing UAVplatform 230, and may securely store authentication informationassociated with the one or more users. In some implementations, UAVplatform 230 may adhere to requirements to ensure that UAVs 220 safelytraverse flight paths, and may limit the flight paths of UAVs 220 toparticular safe zones (e.g., particular altitudes, particulargeographical locations, particular geo-fencing, etc.) to further ensuresafety.

Data storage 235 may include one or more storage devices that storeinformation in one or more data structures, such as databases, tables,lists, trees, etc. In some implementations, data storage 235 may storeinformation, such as UAV account information (e.g., serial numbers,model numbers, user names, etc. associated with UAVs 220); capabilityinformation associated with UAVs 220 (e.g., thrust, battery life, etc.associated with UAVs 220); weather information associated with ageographical region (e.g., precipitation amounts, wind conditions,etc.); air traffic information associated with the geographical region(e.g., commercial air traffic, other UAVs 220, etc.); obstacleinformation (e.g., buildings, mountains, towers etc.) associated withthe geographical region; regulatory information (e.g., no-fly zones,government buildings, etc.) associated with the geographical region;historical information (e.g., former flight paths, former weatherconditions, etc.) associated with the geographical region; etc. In someimplementations, data storage 235 may be included within UAV platform230.

Wireless network 240 may include a fourth generation (4G) cellularnetwork that includes an evolved packet system (EPS). The EPS mayinclude a radio access network (e.g., referred to as a long termevolution (LTE) network), a wireless core network (e.g., referred to asan evolved packet core (EPC) network), an Internet protocol (IP)multimedia subsystem (IMS) network, and a packet data network (PDN). TheLTE network may be referred to as an evolved universal terrestrial radioaccess network (E-UTRAN), and may include one or more base stations(e.g., cell towers). The EPC network may include an all-Internetprotocol (IP) packet-switched core network that supports high-speedwireless and wireline broadband access technologies. The EPC network mayallow user devices 210 and/or UAVs 220 to access various services byconnecting to the LTE network, an evolved high rate packet data (eHRPD)radio access network (RAN), and/or a wireless local area network (WLAN)RAN. The IMS network may include an architectural framework or network(e.g., a telecommunications network) for delivering IP multimediaservices. The PDN may include a communications network that is based onpacket switching. In some implementations, wireless network 240 mayprovide location information (e.g., latitude and longitude coordinates)associated with user devices 210 and/or UAVs 220. For example, wirelessnetwork 240 may determine a location of user device 210 and/or UAV 220based on triangulation of signals, generated by user device 210 and/orUAV 220 and received by multiple cell towers, with prior knowledge ofthe cell tower locations.

Satellite network 250 may include a space-based satellite navigationsystem (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)) that provides locationand/or time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or nearthe Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or moresatellites (e.g., GPS satellites). In some implementations, satellitenetwork 250 may provide location information (e.g., GPS coordinates)associated with user devices 210 and/or UAVs 220, enable communicationwith user devices 210 and/or UAVs 220, etc.

Each of other networks 260 may include a network, such as a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network(MAN), a telephone network, such as the Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (PSTN) or a cellular network, an intranet, the Internet, a fiberoptic network, a cloud computing network, or a combination of networks.

The number of devices and/or networks shown in FIG. 2 is provided as anexample. In practice, there may be additional devices and/or networks,fewer devices and/or networks, different devices and/or networks, ordifferently arranged devices and/or networks than those shown in FIG. 2.Furthermore, two or more devices shown in FIG. 2 may be implementedwithin a single device, or a single device shown in FIG. 2 may beimplemented as multiple, distributed devices. Additionally, one or moreof the devices of environment 200 may perform one or more functionsdescribed as being performed by another one or more devices ofenvironment 200.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of example components of a device 300 that maycorrespond to one or more of the devices of environment 200. In someimplementations, one or more of the devices of environment 200 mayinclude one or more devices 300 or one or more components of device 300.As shown in FIG. 3, device 300 may include a bus 310, a processor 320, amemory 330, a storage component 340, an input component 350, an outputcomponent 360, and a communication interface 370.

Bus 310 may include a component that permits communication among thecomponents of device 300. Processor 320 may include a processor (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), anaccelerated processing unit (APU), etc.), a microprocessor, and/or anyprocessing component (e.g., a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.) that interpretsand/or executes instructions. Memory 330 may include a random accessmemory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and/or another type of dynamicor static storage device (e.g., a flash memory, a magnetic memory, anoptical memory, etc.) that stores information and/or instructions foruse by processor 320.

Storage component 340 may store information and/or software related tothe operation and use of device 300. For example, storage component 340may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, amagneto-optic disk, a solid state disk, etc.), a compact disc (CD), adigital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetictape, and/or another type of computer-readable medium, along with acorresponding drive.

Input component 350 may include a component that permits device 300 toreceive information, such as via user input (e.g., a touch screendisplay, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a switch, amicrophone, etc.). Additionally, or alternatively, input component 350may include a sensor for sensing information (e.g., a global positioningsystem (GPS) component, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an actuator,etc.). Output component 360 may include a component that provides outputinformation from device 300 (e.g., a display, a speaker, one or morelight-emitting diodes (LEDs), etc.).

Communication interface 370 may include a transceiver-like component(e.g., a transceiver, a separate receiver and transmitter, etc.) thatenables device 300 to communicate with other devices, such as via awired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired andwireless connections. Communication interface 370 may permit device 300to receive information from another device and/or provide information toanother device. For example, communication interface 370 may include anEthernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, aninfrared interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a universal serialbus (USB) interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a cellular network interface, orthe like.

Device 300 may perform one or more processes described herein. Device300 may perform these processes in response to processor 320 executingsoftware instructions stored by a computer-readable medium, such asmemory 330 and/or storage component 340. A computer-readable medium isdefined herein as a non-transitory memory device. A memory deviceincludes memory space within a single physical storage device or memoryspace spread across multiple physical storage devices.

Software instructions may be read into memory 330 and/or storagecomponent 340 from another computer-readable medium or from anotherdevice via communication interface 370. When executed, softwareinstructions stored in memory 330 and/or storage component 340 may causeprocessor 320 to perform one or more processes described herein.Additionally, or alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in placeof or in combination with software instructions to perform one or moreprocesses described herein. Thus, implementations described herein arenot limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry andsoftware.

The number and arrangement of components shown in FIG. 3 is provided asan example. In practice, device 300 may include additional components,fewer components, different components, or differently arrangedcomponents than those shown in FIG. 3. Additionally, or alternatively, aset of components (e.g., one or more components) of device 300 mayperform one or more functions described as being performed by anotherset of components of device 300.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a flow chart of an example process 400 foridentifying and instructing UAVs to perform a flight path and a mission.In some implementations, one or more process blocks of FIGS. 4A and 4Bmay be performed by UAV platform 230. In some implementations, one ormore process blocks of FIGS. 4A and 4B may be performed by anotherdevice or a group of devices separate from or including UAV platform230, such as user device 210 and/or UAV 220.

As shown in FIG. 4A, process 400 may include receiving a request formission that includes travelling along a flight path from a firstlocation to a second location and performing one or more missionoperations at the second location (block 405). For example, UAV platform230 may receive, from user device 210, a request for a mission thatincludes travelling a flight path from a first location to a secondlocation in a particular region. In some implementations, the requestfor the mission may include a request for flight path instructions froman origination location (e.g., a current location of a pool of UAVs 220)to a destination location (e.g., a location in the particular region).The origination location and the destination location may be provided inthe particular region. In some implementations, the pool of UAVs 220 maybe associated with UAV platform 230 and/or user(s) associated with userdevice 210. For example, user device 210 and the pool of UAVs 220 may beowned and/or operated by an emergency service provider (e.g., a firestation, a police station, a hazardous materials handler, etc.), adelivery company, a telecommunication service provider, a televisionservice provider, an Internet service provider, etc.

In some implementations, the request for the mission may includeinformation requesting performance of one or more mission operations atthe destination location. For example, the mission operations mayinclude monitoring a nuclear reactor that is experiencing a meltdown andis leaking radiation. Such a request may include information requestingUAVs 220 to capture video of the nuclear reactor, capture images of thenuclear reactor, detect temperature levels at the nuclear reactor,detect radiation levels at the nuclear reactor, etc. In another example,the mission operations may include monitoring a forest fire. Such arequest may include information requesting UAVs 220 to capture video ofthe forest fire, capture images of the forest fire, detect temperaturesat different locations of the forest fire, detect wind conditions at theforest fire, etc. In some implementations, the mission operations mayinclude monitoring a hostile location (e.g., a hostage location of aterrorist compound, a plane hijacking, etc.); a location of an accident(e.g., a building fire, a warehouse explosion, etc.); a location of anatural disaster (e.g., a tornado, a hurricane, a tsunami, anearthquake, etc.); etc.

As further shown in FIG. 4A, process 400 may include calculating theflight path from the first location to the second location based onaviation information (block 410). For example, UAV platform 230 maycalculate the flight path from the origination location to thedestination location based on aviation information. In someimplementations, UAV platform 230 may calculate the flight path from theorigination location to the destination location based on aviationinformation associated with the particular region, such as the weatherinformation, the air traffic information, the obstacle information, theregulatory information, the historical information, etc. stored in UAVplatform 230 and/or data storage 235. In some implementations, UAVplatform 230 may determine whether the aviation information indicatesthat UAVs 220 in the pool may safely complete the flight path from theorigination location to the destination location without stopping. IfUAV platform 230 determines that UAVs 220 in the pool cannot safelycomplete the flight path from the origination location to thedestination location without stopping (e.g., to recharge or refuel), UAVplatform 230 may determine one or more waypoints along the flight pathfor stopping and recharging or refueling.

In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may calculate the flight pathbased on the weather information. For example, UAV platform 230 maydetermine that, without weather issues, the flight path may take any UAV220 two hours to complete at an altitude of five-hundred meters. UAVplatform 230 may further determine that wind conditions at five-hundredmeters may create a headwind of fifty kilometers per hour on any UAV220, but that wind conditions at one-thousand meters may create atailwind of fifty kilometers per hour on any UAV 220. In such anexample, UAV platform 230 may alter the flight path from an altitude offive-hundred meters to an altitude of one-thousand meters (e.g., if anyUAV 220 is capable of reaching the altitude of one-thousand meters).Assume that the tailwind at the altitude of one-thousand metersdecreases the flight time from two hours to one hour and thirty minutes.Alternatively, UAV platform 230 may not alter the flight path, but theheadwind at the altitude of five-hundred meters may increase the flighttime from two hours to two hours and thirty minutes.

Additionally, or alternatively, UAV platform 230 may calculate theflight path based on the air traffic information. For example, UAVplatform 230 may determine that, without air traffic issues, the flightpath may take any UAV 220 two hours to complete at an altitude offive-hundred meters. UAV platform 230 may further determine that otherUAVs 220 are flying at the altitude of five-hundred meters based on theair traffic information, but that no other UAVs 220 are flying at analtitude of one-thousand meters. In such an example, UAV platform 230may alter the flight path from an altitude of five-hundred meters to analtitude of one-thousand meters. The altitude of one-thousand meters mayenable any UAV 220 to safely arrive at the location without thepossibility of colliding with the other UAVs 220. Alternatively, UAVplatform 230 may not alter the flight path, but the other UAVs 220flying at the altitude of five-hundred meters may increase thepossibility that any UAV 220 may collide with another UAV 220. UAVplatform 230 may then determine whether any UAV 220 is capable of safelyflying at the altitude of five-hundred meters without colliding withanother UAV 220.

Additionally, or alternatively, UAV platform 230 may calculate theflight path based on the obstacle information. For example, UAV platform230 may determine that, without obstacle issues, the flight path maytake any UAV 220 one hour to complete at an altitude of two-hundredmeters. UAV platform 230 may further determine that one or morebuildings are two-hundred meters in height based on the obstacleinformation, but that no other obstacles are greater than two-hundredmeters in height. In such an example, UAV platform 230 may alter theflight path from an altitude of two-hundred meters to an altitude ofthree-hundred meters. The altitude of three-hundred meters may enableany UAV 220 to safely arrive at the location without the possibility ofcolliding with the one or more buildings. Alternatively, UAV platform230 may not alter the altitude of the flight path, but may change theflight path to avoid the one or more buildings, which may increase theflight time from one hour to one hour and thirty minutes.

Additionally, or alternatively, UAV platform 230 may calculate theflight path based on the regulatory information. For example, UAVplatform 230 may determine that, without regulatory issues, the flightpath may take any UAV 220 one hour to complete at an altitude offive-hundred meters. UAV platform 230 may further determine that theflight path travels over a restricted facility based on the regulatoryinformation. In such an example, UAV platform 230 may change the flightpath to avoid flying over the restricted facility, which may increasethe flight time from one hour to one hour and thirty minutes.

Additionally, or alternatively, UAV platform 230 may calculate theflight path based on the historical information. For example, UAVplatform 230 may identify prior flight paths from the originationlocation to the destination location from the historical information,and may select one of the prior flight paths, as the flight path. Forexample, assume that UAV platform 230 identifies three prior flightpaths that include flight times of two hours, three hours, and fourhours, respectively. In such an example, UAV platform 230 may select, asthe flight path, the prior flight path with the flight time of twohours.

As further shown in FIG. 4A, process 400 may include determiningrequired UAV capabilities for the mission based on the request for themission (block 415). For example, UAV platform 230 may determinerequired UAV capabilities for traversing the flight path and performingthe mission operations, based on the request for the mission. In someimplementations, UAV platform 230 may determine the required UAVcapabilities based on the origination location, the destinationlocation, and/or the particular region associated with the flight pathand/or the mission operations. For example, UAV platform 230 maydetermine that the flight path and/or the mission operations requireUAVs 220 to be available and located at or near the originationlocation, able to travel non-stop to the destination location (e.g.,located twenty kilometers from the origination location), able to travelin the particular region, etc. In such an example, UAV platform 230 maydetermine that UAVs 220 capable of flying ten kilometers non-stop do notsatisfy the required UAV capabilities (e.g., since the destinationlocation is located twenty kilometers from the origination location),but that UAVs 220 capable of flying thirty kilometers non-stop satisfiesthe required UAV capabilities.

In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may determine the required UAVcapabilities based on physical requirements (e.g., payload capacity,battery life, non-stop flying distance, etc. associated with UAVs 220)associated with the flight path and/or the mission operations. Forexample, UAV platform 230 may determine that the flight path and/or themission operations require UAVs 220 that are capable of carrying apayload that weighs ten kilograms for a distance of twenty kilometersnon-stop. In such an example, UAV platform 230 may determine that UAVs220 capable of carrying payloads that weigh less than five kilograms fora distance of ten kilometers non-stop do not satisfy the required UAVcapabilities. However, UAV platform 230 may determine that UAVs 220capable of carrying payloads that weigh twenty kilograms for a distanceof thirty kilometers non-stop satisfy the required UAV capabilities.

In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may determine the required UAVcapabilities based on component requirements (e.g., sensors, networkgenerating components, etc. of UAVs 220) associated with the flight pathand/or the mission operations. For example, UAV platform 230 maydetermine that the flight path and/or the mission operations requireUAVs 220 that are capable of recording video images. In such an example,UAV platform 230 may determine that UAVs 220 without a video camera donot satisfy the required UAV capabilities, but that UAVs 220 with avideo camera satisfy the required UAV capabilities. In another example,UAV platform 230 may determine that the flight path and/or the missionoperations require UAVs 220 that are capable of sensing radiation alongthe flight path. In such an example, UAV platform 230 may determine thatUAVs 220 without a radiation sensor do not satisfy the required UAVcapabilities, but that UAVs 220 with a radiation sensor satisfy therequired UAV capabilities.

In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may determine the required UAVcapabilities based on the aviation information associated with theparticular region, such as the weather information, the air trafficinformation, the obstacle information, the regulatory information, thehistorical information, etc. associated with the particular region. Forexample, assume that the weather information indicates that the flightpath requires traveling through a particular headwind of twentykilometers per hour. In such an example, UAV platform 230 may determinethat the flight path requires UAVs 220 that are capable of withstandingthe particular headwind. In another example, assume that the air trafficinformation indicates that the flight path requires traveling at aparticular altitude of one kilometer to avoid other air traffic. In suchan example, UAV platform 230 may determine that the flight path requiresUAVs 220 that are capable of traveling at the particular altitude.

As further shown in FIG. 4A, process 400 may include identifying UAVs,from the pool of UAVs, based on the required UAV capabilities (block420). For example, UAV platform 230 may identify UAVs 220, from the poolof UAVs 220, based on the required UAV capabilities. In someimplementations, UAV platform 230 may identify UAVs 220, from UAVs 220in the pool, when the identified UAVs 220 are capable of performing themission operations, and flying a distance associated with the flightpath, in weather conditions (e.g., specified by the weatherinformation), without colliding with air traffic and/or obstacles (e.g.,specified by the air traffic information and the obstacle information),and without violating any regulations (e.g., specified by the regulatoryinformation). In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may identifymultiple UAVs 220, from UAVs 220 in the pool, that satisfy the requiredUAV capabilities, and may select, as the identified UAVs 220, ones ofthe multiple UAVs 220 that are capable of traversing the flight path andperforming the mission operations in the most efficient manner (e.g., ina shortest distance, in a shortest amount of time, using the leastamount of resources, etc.).

In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may retrieve, from datastorage 235, capability information for UAVs 220 in the pool. In someimplementations, data storage 235 may include capability informationassociated with different components of UAVs 220, such as battery life,thrusts provided by rotors, flight times associated with amounts offuel, etc. In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may utilizecomponent information of UAVs 220 in the pool (e.g., indicating thatUAVs 220 in the pool have particular types of batteries, engines,rotors, etc.) to retrieve the capability information for components ofUAVs 220 in the pool from data storage 235. For example, if a particularUAV 220 in the pool has a particular type of battery and a particulartype of rotor, UAV platform 230 may determine that the particular typeof battery of the particular UAV 220 may provide two hours of flighttime and that the particular type of rotor may enable the particular UAV220 to reach an altitude of one-thousand meters.

In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may assign different weightsto different capability information associated with UAVs 220 in thepool. In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may calculate a scorefor each of UAVs 220 in the pool based on the capability information andthe assigned weights. For example, assume that UAV platform 230 assignsa weight of 0.1 to battery lives of UAVs 220 in the pool, a weight of0.2 to rotor thrusts of UAVs 220 in the pool, and a weight of 0.5 to thesense and avoid capabilities of UAVs 220 in the pool. Further, assumethat UAV platform 230 calculates a score of 0.4 for a first UAV 220 inthe pool, a score of 0.7 for a second UAV 220 in the pool, and a scoreof 0.5 for a third UAV 220 in the pool. In some implementations, UAVplatform 230 may identify UAVs 220 in the pool based on the required UAVcapabilities and/or the calculated scores. For example, UAV platform 220may identify UAVs 220 in the pool with the greatest scores or thesmallest scores.

As further shown in FIG. 4A, process 400 may include generating flightpath instructions for the flight path, and mission instructions for themission operations (block 425). For example, UAV platform 230 maygenerate flight path instructions for the flight path, and may generatemission instructions for the mission operations. In someimplementations, the flight path instructions may include specificaltitudes for the identified UAVs 220 between fixed geographiccoordinates (e.g., a first location and a second location); navigationalinformation (e.g., travel east for three kilometers, then north for twokilometers, etc.); expected weather conditions (e.g., headwinds,tailwinds, temperatures, etc.); network information (e.g., locations ofbase stations of wireless network 240); timing information (e.g., whento take off, when to perform certain navigational maneuvers, etc.);waypoint information (e.g., locations where the identified UAVs 220 maystop and recharge or refuel); etc. For example, the flight pathinstructions may include information that instructs the identified UAVs220 to fly forty-five degrees northeast for ten kilometers and at analtitude of five-hundred meters, then fly three-hundred and fifteendegrees northwest for ten kilometers and at an altitude of four-hundredmeters, etc.

In some implementations, the mission instructions may includeinformation instructing the identified UAVs 220 to perform certainoperations along the flight path and/or at the destination location. Forexample, the mission instructions may include information instructingthe identified UAVs 220 to capture video and/or images, measureradiation levels at different locations, measure temperature levels atthe different locations, etc. In another example, the missioninstructions may include information instructing the identified UAVs 220to deliver packages (e.g., food, medicine, etc.) to a particular region(e.g., to survivors of a natural disaster than cannot be reached byemergency personnel).

As further shown in FIG. 4A, process 400 may include providing theflight path instructions and the mission instructions to the identifiedUAVs (block 430). For example, UAV platform 230 may provide the flightpath instructions and the mission instructions to the identified UAVs220. In some implementations, the identified UAVs 220 may utilize theflight path instructions to travel via the flight path. For example, theidentified UAVs 220 may take off at a time specified by the flight pathinstructions, may travel a route and at altitudes specified by theflight path instructions, may detect and avoid any obstacles encounteredin the flight path, etc. until the identified UAVs 220 arrives at thedestination location.

In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may provide the entire missioninstructions to each of the identified UAVs 220. For example, if themission instructions specify capturing video and/or images, takingtemperature measurements, and measuring wind conditions, UAV platform230 may provide information associated with capturing video and/orimages, taking temperature measurements, and measuring wind conditionsto each of the identified UAVs 220. In some implementations, UAVplatform 230 may provide a portion of the mission instructions to eachof the identified UAVs 220. For example, UAV platform 230 may provideinformation associated with capturing video and/or images to a first UAV220 of the identified UAVs 220, may provide information associated withtaking temperature measurements to a second UAV 220 of the identifiedUAVs 220, and may provide information associated with measuring windconditions to a third UAV 220 of the identified UAVs 220.

In some implementations, the mission instructions may instruct multipleUAVs 220, of the identified UAVs 220, to perform the same tasksimultaneously. For example, the mission instructions may instruct fourUAVs 220 to simultaneously measure temperature levels at differentlocations of a nuclear reactor, in order to determine temperaturegradients associated with the nuclear reactor. Such information mayenable emergency personnel determine whether the nuclear reactor isdangerously close to a meltdown. In another example, the missioninstructions may instruct three UAVs 220 to simultaneously measure windspeed and direction at different locations of a forest fire, in order todetermine wind conditions associated with the forest fire. Suchinformation may help firefighters determine a direction that the forestfire may spread.

In some implementations, if the identified UAVs 220 include sufficientcomputational resources (e.g., a sufficient degree of autonomy), theidentified UAVs 220 may utilize information provided by the flight pathinstructions and/or the mission instructions to calculate a flight pathfor the identified UAVs 220 and to generate flight path instructionsand/or mission instructions. In such implementations, the flight pathinstructions and/or the mission instructions provided by UAV platform230 may include less detailed information, and the identified UAVs 220may determine more detailed flight path instructions and/or missioninstructions via the computational resources of the identified UAVs 220.

As shown in FIG. 4B, process 400 may include receiving missioninformation from the identified UAVs (block 435). For example, when theidentified UAVs 220 are located at the destination location, theidentified UAVs 220 may provide mission information to UAV platform 230,via one or more of networks 240-260, and UAV platform 230 may receivethe mission information. In some implementations, UAV platform 230 mayprovide the mission information to user device 210 that provided therequest to UAV platform 230. In some implementations, the missioninformation may include information received by sensors of theidentified UAVs 220, such as visual information received fromelectromagnetic spectrum sensors of the identified UAVs 220 (e.g.,images of obstacles, a natural disaster, infrared images, images theshow objects radiating heat, etc.), temperature information, windconditions, radiation levels, etc. In some implementations, theidentified UAVs 220 may utilize such mission information to detect andavoid any unexpected obstacles encountered by the identified UAVs 220during traversal of the flight path and/or performance of the missionoperations. For example, if a particular UAV 220 of the identified UAVs220 detects another UAV 220 in the flight path, the particular UAV 220may alter the flight path to avoid colliding with the other UAV 220.

In some implementations, the identified UAVs 220 may utilize the missioninformation to coordinate performance of the mission operations. In suchimplementations, the identified UAVs 220 may communicate with each otherso that the identified UAVs 220 may coordinate performance of themission operations. For example, if the mission requires two UAVs 220 ofthe identified UAVs 220 to simultaneously capture images of differentlocations of the destination location, the two UAVs 220 may communicatewith each other so that the two UAVs 220 may know when the two UAVs 220are positioned to simultaneously capture the images of the differentlocations.

In some implementations, while the identified UAVs 220 are travelingalong the flight path in accordance with the flight path instructions,the identified UAVs 220 may provide mission information to UAV platform230, via one or more of networks 240-260, and UAV platform 230 mayreceive the mission information. In such implementations, the missioninformation may include information received by sensors of theidentified UAVs 220 during traversal of the flight path, such as visualinformation received from electromagnetic spectrum sensors of theidentified UAVs 220, temperature information, radiation information,wind conditions, etc.

As further shown in FIG. 4B, process 400 may include determining whetherthe identified UAVs are experiencing problem(s) with performance of themission operations (block 440). For example, UAV platform 230 maydetermine whether any of the identified UAVs 220 are experiencingproblems with performance of the mission operations, based on themission information received from the identified UAVs 220. In someimplementations, UAV platform 230 may determine that one or more of theidentified UAVs 220 are experiencing problems with the performance ofthe mission operations when the mission information indicates that oneor more of the identified UAVs 220 are damaged (e.g., rotors aredamaged); running out of battery power; have damaged sensors (e.g., andcannot perform a measurement); etc. For example, UAV platform 230 maydetermine that a particular UAV 220 of the identified UAVs 220 isexperiencing problems when the mission information indicates that theparticular UAV 220 is damaged and cannot perform a measurement (e.g., ofradiation levels, temperature levels, etc.).

In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may determine that one or moreof the identified UAVs 220 are experiencing problems with theperformance of the mission operations when the mission informationindicates that the one or more UAVs 220 are in danger of colliding withan obstacle (e.g., another UAV 220, a building, an airplane, etc.). Insuch implementations, UAV platform 230 may modify the flight path sothat the one or more UAVs 220 avoid colliding with the obstacle and/orremains a safe distance from the obstacle. In some implementations, UAVplatform 230 may determine that one or more of the identified UAVs 220are experiencing problems with the performance of the mission operationswhen the mission information indicates that the weather conditions mayprevent the one or more UAVs 220 from reaching or staying at thedestination location. For example, the wind conditions may change andcause the flight time of the one or more UAVs 220 to increase to a pointwhere the batteries of the one or more UAVs 220 will be depleted beforethe one or more UAVs 220 reach the destination location. In such anexample, UAV platform 230 may modify the flight path so that the one ormore UAVs 220 either stop to recharge or change altitude to improve windconditions.

In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may determine that theidentified UAVs 220 are not experiencing problems with the performanceof the mission operations when the mission information indicates thatthe identified UAVs 220 are performing the mission (e.g., travelling theflight path, capturing images, taking measurements, etc.) in accordancewith the flight path instructions and/or the mission instructions. Insuch implementations, UAV platform 230 may continue to monitor theperformance of the mission operations by the identified UAVs 220.

As further shown in FIG. 4B, if the identified UAVs are experiencingproblem(s) with performance of the mission operations (block 440—YES),process 400 may include identifying a problem with a particular UAV ofthe identified UAVs (block 445). For example, if UAV platform 230determines that one or more of the identified UAVs 220 are experiencingproblems with the performance of the mission operations, UAV platform230 may identify a problem with a particular UAV 220 of the identifiedUAVs 220. In some implementations, UAV platform 230 may determine that aparticular UAV 220 of the identified UAVs 220 is experiencing problemswhen the mission information indicates that the particular UAV 220 isdamaged and cannot perform a measurement (e.g., of radiation levels,temperature levels, etc.); is running low on battery power; is damagedand cannot complete the flight path; etc.

As further shown in FIG. 4B, process 400 may include instructing one ofthe identified UAVs to perform operation(s) of the particular UAV (block450). For example, UAV platform 230 may instruct one of the identifiedUAVs 220 (e.g., other than the particular UAV 220) to perform theoperation(s) of the particular UAV 220. In some implementations, UAVplatform 230 may determine an operation to be performed by theparticular UAV 220 for the mission, and may select one of the identifiedUAVs 220 that is capable of performing the operation. In suchimplementations, UAV platform 230 may instruct the selected UAV 220 toperform the operation in place of the particular UAV 220. For example,assume that the particular UAV 220 is to measure temperature levels of aforest fire, but that the temperature sensor of the particular UAV 220is not functioning. In such an example, UAV platform 230 may select oneof the identified UAVs 220 with a temperature sensor, and may instructthe selected UAV 220 to measure the temperature levels of the forestfire.

In some implementations, the identified UAVs 220 may determine that aparticular UAV 220 of the identified UAVs 220 is experiencing problemsbased on communication of the mission information between the identifiedUAVs 220. In such implementations, one of the identified UAVs 220 (e.g.,other than the particular UAV 220) may automatically perform theoperation(s) of the particular UAV 220, without the identified UAVs 220receiving instructions from UAV platform 230. For example, assume thatthe particular UAV 220 is to measure radiation levels of a nuclearreactor, but that the radiation sensor of the particular UAV 220 is notfunctioning. In such an example, one of the identified UAVs 220 with aradiation sensor may measure the radiation levels of the nuclear reactorin place of the particular UAV 220.

As further shown in FIG. 4B, if the identified UAVs are not experiencingproblem(s) with performance of the mission operations (block 440—NO) orafter instructing one of the identified UAVs to perform operation(s) ofthe particular UAV (block 450), process 400 may include receiving anotification that the mission is completed by the identified UAVs (block455). For example, if UAV platform 230 determines that the identifiedUAVs 220 are not experiencing problems with the performance of themission operations or after UAV platform 230 instructs one of theidentified UAVs 220 (e.g., other than the particular UAV 220) to performthe operation(s) of the particular UAV 220, the identified UAVs 220 maycontinue to perform the mission operations until the mission iscomplete. When the identified UAVs 220 have completed the mission, oneor more of the identified UAVs 220 may provide a notification to UAVplatform 230, via one or more of networks 240-260. In someimplementations, the notification may indicate that the identified UAVs220 have completed the mission.

Although FIGS. 4A and 4B shows example blocks of process 400, in someimplementations, process 400 may include additional blocks, fewerblocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than thosedepicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Additionally, or alternatively, two or moreof the blocks of process 400 may be performed in parallel.

FIGS. 5A-5E are diagrams of an example 500 relating to example process400 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Assume that user device 210 (e.g., atablet 210) is associated with a user (e.g., a firefighter) that islocated at an origination location (e.g., Washington, D.C.), as shown inFIG. 5A. Further, assume that a forest fire is occurring at adestination location (e.g., Front Royal, Va.), and that the forest fireis unsafe for firefighters to approach. Therefore, assume that thefirefighter wants to utilize multiple UAVs 220, from a pool 505 of UAVs220, to fly from Washington, D.C. to Front Royal, Va. in order tocapture video and images of the forest fire, measure wind conditions atthe forest fire, and measure temperature conditions of the forest fire.

As further shown in FIG. 5A, UAV platform 230 and data storage 235 maycommunicate with wireless network 240, satellite network 250, and/orother networks 260. One or more of networks 240-260 may provide, to datastorage 235, information 510, such as capability information associatedwith UAVs 220 in pool 505, weather information associated with ageographical region (e.g., that includes a geographical location ofWashington, D.C., a geographical location of Front Royal, Va., andgeographical locations between Washington and Front Royal), air trafficinformation associated with the geographical region, obstacleinformation associated with the geographical region, regulatoryinformation associated with the geographical region, historicalinformation associated with the geographical region, etc.

As further shown in FIG. 5A, the firefighter may instruct tablet 210 togenerate a request 515 for a mission (e.g., for UAVs 220 in pool 505)that includes travelling a flight path (e.g., from Washington, D.C. toFront Royal, Va.) and performing a mission (e.g., capture video/imagesand measure temperatures and wind conditions of forest fire) at FrontRoyal, Va. The firefighter may also instruct tablet 210 to providerequest 515 to UAV platform 230. Request 515 may include credentials(e.g., serial numbers, identifiers of UICCs, etc.) associated with UAVs220 in pool 505, or the credentials may be provided separately fromrequest 515 to UAV platform 230. UAV platform 230 may utilize thecredentials to determine whether one or more UAVs 220 in pool 505 areauthenticated for utilizing UAV platform 230 and/or one or more ofnetworks 240-260, and are registered with an appropriate authority foruse. For example, UAV platform 230 may compare the credentials withinformation provided in data storage 235 in order to determine whetherone or more UAVs 220 in pool 505 are authenticated for utilizing UAVplatform 230 and/or one or more of networks 240-260, and are registeredwith an appropriate authority. Assume that all UAVs 220 in pool 505 areauthenticated and/or registered.

UAV platform 230 may calculate a flight path from Washington, D.C. toFront Royal, Va. based on information 510 (e.g., weather information,air traffic information, obstacle information, regulatory information,historical information, etc.) provided in data storage 235. For example,assume that the weather information indicates that the wind is tenkilometers per hour from the west and that it is raining; the airtraffic information indicates that a jet is at an altitude often-thousand meters and another UAV 220 is at an altitude offive-hundred meters; the obstacle information indicates that a mountainis two kilometers in height and a building is five-hundred meters inheight; the regulatory information indicates that there is a no-fly zoneover a government building; and the historical information indicatesthat a historical flight path had a duration of thirty minutes and analtitude of one-thousand meters. UAV platform 230 may calculate theflight path from Washington, D.C. to Front Royal, Va. based on suchinformation.

As further shown in FIG. 5A, UAV platform 230 may determine required UAVcapabilities 520 for the requested mission based on request 515. Forexample, UAV platform 230 may determine that required UAV capabilities520 include flying from Washington, D.C. to Front Royal, Va. non-stop,capturing video/images of the forest fire, measuring wind conditions atthe forest fire, and measuring temperature conditions of the forestfire. UAV platform 230 may provide required UAV capabilities 520 to datastorage 235 (e.g., for storage).

UAV platform 230 may assign different weights to different capabilityinformation associated with UAVs 220 in pool 505, and may calculate ascore for each UAV 220 in pool 505 based on the assigned weights. UAVplatform 230 may identify UAVs 220, from UAVs 220 in pool 505, based onthe scores and/or based on required UAV capabilities 520, as indicatedby reference number 525 in FIG. 5B. UAVs 220 identified by UAV platform230 may include four UAVs 220 (e.g., UAV 220-1, UAV 220-2, UAV 220-3,and UAV 220-4), and may be referred to collectively as “identified UAVs530” in FIG. 5B. Identified UAVs 530 may be capable of flying fromWashington, D.C. to Front Royal, Va. non-stop, capturing video/images ofthe forest fire, measuring wind conditions at the forest fire, andmeasuring temperature conditions of the forest fire.

The calculated flight path from Washington, D.C. to Front Royal, Va. isdepicted by reference number 535 in FIG. 5C. As further shown in FIG.5C, UAV platform 230 may generate flight path/mission instructions 540for flight path 535. Flight path/mission instructions 540 may include,for example, information instructing identified UAVs 530 to fly north atzero degrees for ten kilometers, then northeast at forty degrees forthree kilometers, at an altitude of one-thousand meters, capturevideo/images of the forest fire, measure wind conditions at the forestfire, measure temperature conditions of the forest fire etc. UAVplatform 230 may provide flight path/mission instructions 540 toidentified UAVs 530 via one or more of networks 240-260. Identified UAVs530 may take off from Washington, D.C., and may travel flight path 535based on flight path/mission instructions 540.

When identified UAVs 530 arrive at the forest fire in Front Royal, Va.,identified UAVs 530 may perform the mission operations. For example,UAVs 220-1 and 220-2 may capture video/images of the forest fire, UAV220-3 may measure wind conditions at the forest fire, and UAV 220-4 maymeasure temperature conditions of the forest fire. However, as shown inFIG. 5D, UAV 220-1 may experience a problem 545 (e.g., a camera of UAV220-1 is inoperable), and may provide information about problem 545 toUAV platform 230. UAV platform 230 may determine instructions forproblem 545, and may provide the instructions for problem 545 to UAV220-2, as indicated by reference number 550 in FIG. 5D. The instructionsfor problem 545 may instruct UAV 220-2 to capture video/images of theforest fire that were to be captured by UAV 220-1.

As shown in FIG. 5E, UAV 220-2 may perform the mission operationsassigned to UAV 220-1 (e.g., capturing video/images of the forest fire)and the mission operations assigned to UAV 220-2. UAV 220-1 may returnto Washington, D.C., via a return flight path 555, as further shown inFIG. 5E. While UAVs 220-2, 220-3, and 220-4 are performing the missionoperations at the forest fire, UAVs 220-2, 220-3, and 220-4 maycommunicate 560 with each other. For example, UAVs 220-2, 220-3, and220-4 may share information about mission operations being performed,measurement information, etc. While UAVs 220-2, 220-3, and 220-4 areperforming the mission operations at the forest fire, UAVs 220-2, 220-3,and 220-4 may provide mission information 565 to UAV platform 230 (e.g.,via one or more of networks 240-260). Mission information 565 mayinclude captured video/images of the forest fire, measured windconditions at the forest fire, and measured temperature conditions ofthe forest fire. UAV platform 230 may provide mission information 565 totablet 210 (e.g., for display to the firefighter). When UAVs 220-2,220-3, and 220-4 have completed the mission, one or more of UAVs 220-2,220-3, and 220-4 may provide a mission completed notification 570 to UAVplatform 230, via one or more of networks 240-260. Mission completednotification 570 may indicate that UAVs 220-2, 220-3, and 220-4 havecompleted the mission. UAV platform 230 may provide notification 570 totable 210 (e.g., for display to the firefighter).

As indicated above, FIGS. 5A-5E are provided merely as an example. Otherexamples are possible and may differ from what was described with regardto FIGS. 5A-5E.

Systems and/or methods described herein may provide a platform thatenables UAVs to safely traverse flight paths from origination locationsto destination locations. The systems and/or methods may enable UAVs toperform missions that may be too dangerous for humans to perform. Thesystems and/or methods may enable selection of UAVs most capable ofcollecting different types of information for a mission, which mayincrease efficiencies of the UAVs and reduce costs associated with theUAVs.

To the extent the aforementioned implementations collect, store, oremploy personal information provided by individuals, it should beunderstood that such information shall be used in accordance with allapplicable laws concerning protection of personal information.Additionally, the collection, storage, and use of such information maybe subject to consent of the individual to such activity, for example,through “opt-in” or “opt-out” processes as may be appropriate for thesituation and type of information. Storage and use of personalinformation may be in an appropriately secure manner reflective of thetype of information, for example, through various encryption andanonymization techniques for particularly sensitive information.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to theprecise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible inlight of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of theimplementations.

A component is intended to be broadly construed as hardware, firmware,or a combination of hardware and software.

User interfaces may include graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and/ornon-graphical user interfaces, such as text-based interfaces. The userinterfaces may provide information to users via customized interfaces(e.g., proprietary interfaces) and/or other types of interfaces (e.g.,browser-based interfaces, etc.). The user interfaces may receive userinputs via one or more input devices, may be user-configurable (e.g., auser may change the sizes of the user interfaces, information displayedin the user interfaces, color schemes used by the user interfaces,positions of text, images, icons, windows, etc., in the user interfaces,etc.), and/or may not be user-configurable. Information associated withthe user interfaces may be selected and/or manipulated by a user (e.g.,via a touch screen display, a mouse, a keyboard, a keypad, voicecommands, etc.).

It will be apparent that systems and/or methods, as described herein,may be implemented in many different forms of software, firmware, andhardware in the implementations illustrated in the figures. The actualsoftware code or specialized control hardware used to implement thesesystems and/or methods is not limiting of the implementations. Thus, theoperation and behavior of the systems and/or methods were describedwithout reference to the specific software code—it being understood thatsoftware and control hardware can be designed to implement the systemsand/or methods based on the description herein.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are notintended to limit the disclosure of possible implementations. In fact,many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recitedin the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although eachdependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, thedisclosure of possible implementations includes each dependent claim incombination with every other claim in the claim set.

No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed ascritical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as usedherein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or moreitems, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore,as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items,and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one itemis intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as usedherein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended tobe open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean“based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a device,capability information for one or more unmanned aerial vehicles;assigning, by the device, one or more weights to the capabilityinformation; identifying, by the device, the one or more unmanned aerialvehicles based on the one or more weights; providing, by the device andbased on identifying the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles, flightpath instructions and mission instructions to the one or more unmannedaerial vehicles to permit the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles totravel from a first geographical location to a second geographicallocation, via a flight path, and to perform one or more missionoperations; receiving, by the device and from the one or more unmannedaerial vehicles, mission information, the mission information indicatingthat a sensor of a first unmanned aerial vehicle, of the one or moreunmanned aerial vehicles, is unable to perform a measurement;determining, by the device and based on receiving the missioninformation, a problem associated with the first unmanned aerialvehicle; and instructing, by the device and based on determining theproblem, a second unmanned aerial vehicle of the one or more unmannedaerial vehicles to perform an operation of the first unmanned aerialvehicle.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determiningrequired capabilities for a mission based on at least one of: the firstgeographical location and the second geographical location; componentrequirements associated with the flight path and the one or more missionoperations; physical requirements associated with the flight path andthe one or more mission operations; or aviation information associatedwith the first geographical location and the second geographicallocation; and where identifying the one or more unmanned aerial vehiclescomprises: identifying the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles based ondetermining the required capabilities for the mission.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: calculating a score, for each of the one ormore unmanned aerial vehicles, based on assigning the one or moreweights; and where identifying the one or more unmanned aerial vehiclescomprises: identifying particular unmanned aerial vehicles, from the oneor more unmanned aerial vehicles, based on the calculated score andbased on required capabilities for a mission.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising: instructing the first unmanned aerial vehicle toreturn to the first geographical location.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising: determining one or more waypoints along the flightpath for recharging or refueling the one or more unmanned aerialvehicles.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating theflight path instructions for the flight path and the missioninstructions for the one or more mission operations.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: identifying at least one prior flight pathfrom the first geographical location to the second geographicallocation; and selecting one of the at least one prior flight path as theflight path.
 8. A system, comprising: one or more devices to: receivecapability information for one or more unmanned aerial vehicles; assignone or more weights to the capability information; identify the one ormore unmanned aerial vehicles based on the one or more weights; provide,based on identifying the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles, flightpath instructions and mission instructions to the one or more unmannedaerial vehicles to permit the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles totravel from a first geographical location to a second geographicallocation, via a flight path, and to perform one or more missionoperations at the second geographical location; receive, from the one ormore unmanned aerial vehicles, mission information, the missioninformation indicating that a sensor of a first unmanned aerial vehicle,of the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles, being unable to perform afunction; determine, based on receiving the mission information, aproblem associated with the first unmanned aerial vehicle; and instructa second unmanned aerial vehicle of the one or more unmanned aerialvehicles to perform a mission operation of the first unmanned aerialvehicle.
 9. The system of claim 8, where the one or more devices arefurther to: determine required capabilities for a mission based on atleast one of: the first geographical location and the secondgeographical location; component requirements associated with the flightpath and the one or more mission operations; physical requirementsassociated with the flight path and the one or more mission operations;or aviation information associated with the first geographical locationand the second geographical location; and where the one or more devices,when identifying the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles, are to:identify the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles based on determiningthe required capabilities for the mission.
 10. The system of claim 8,where the one or more devices are further to: calculate a score, foreach of the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles, based on assigning theone or more weights; and where the one or more devices, when identifyingthe one or more unmanned aerial vehicles, are to: identify particularunmanned aerial vehicles, from the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles,based on the calculated score and based on required capabilities for amission.
 11. The system of claim 8, where the one or more devices arefurther to: instruct the first unmanned aerial vehicle to return to thefirst geographical location.
 12. The system of claim 8, where the one ormore devices are further to: receive, from the one or more unmannedaerial vehicles, a notification indicating that a mission is completewhen the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles complete the one or moremission operations.
 13. The system of claim 8, where the one or moreunmanned aerial vehicles perform the one or more mission operationswhile traversing the flight path and at the second geographicallocation.
 14. The system of claim 8, where the one or more devices arefurther to: calculating the flight path based on at least one or moreof: weather information, air traffic information, regulatoryinformation, obstacle information, or historical information.
 15. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium for storing instructions, theinstructions comprising: one or more instructions that, when executed byone or more processors of a device, cause the one or more processors to:receive capability information for one or more unmanned aerial vehicles;assign one or more weights to the capability information; identify theone or more unmanned aerial vehicles based on the one or more weights;generate flight path instructions for a flight path and missioninstructions for one or more mission operations; provide, based onidentifying the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles, the flight pathinstructions and the mission instructions to the one or more unmannedaerial vehicles to permit the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles totravel from a first geographical location to a second geographicallocation, via the flight path, and to perform the one or more missionoperations at the second geographical location; receive, from the one ormore unmanned aerial vehicles, mission information, the missioninformation indicating that a sensor of a first unmanned aerial vehicle,of the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles, being unable to perform afunction; determine, based on receiving the mission information, aproblem associated with the first unmanned aerial vehicle; and instructa second unmanned aerial vehicle, of the one or more unmanned aerialvehicles, to perform a mission operation of the first unmanned aerialvehicle.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15,where the instructions further comprise: one or more instructions that,when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to: determine required capabilities for a mission based on atleast one of: the first geographical location and the secondgeographical location; component requirements associated with the flightpath and the one or more mission operations; physical requirementsassociated with the flight path and the one or more mission operations;or aviation information associated with the first geographical locationand the second geographical location; and where the one or moreinstruction, that cause the one or more processors to identify the oneor more unmanned aerial vehicles, cause the one or more processors to:identify the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles based on determiningthe required capabilities for the mission.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, where the instructions furthercomprise: one or more instructions that, when executed by the one ormore processors, cause the one or more processors to: calculate a score,for each of the one or more unmanned aerial vehicles, based on assigningthe one or more weights; and where the one or more instruction, thatcause the one or more processors to identify the one or more unmannedaerial vehicles, cause the one or more processors to: identifyparticular unmanned aerial vehicles, from the one or more unmannedaerial vehicles, based on the calculated score and based on requiredcapabilities for a mission.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 15, where the instructions further comprise: one or moreinstructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to: instruct the first unmanned aerialvehicle to return to the first geographical location.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, where theinstructions further comprise: one or more instructions that, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processorsto: receive, from at least one of the one or more unmanned aerialvehicles, a notification indicating that a mission is complete when theone or more unmanned aerial vehicles complete the one or more missionoperations.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15,where the instructions further comprise: one or more instructions that,when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to: determine that the flight path includes a path over arestricted area; and modify the flight path to avoid the restricted areabased on determining that the flight path includes the path over therestricted area.